Client: A Greener Future (AGF)
Project: Green Events & Innovations (GEI) Conference
Location: London
Role: Production & Programme Coordinator
The Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI) is the leading annual event focused on sustainability in the live events sector. Held in London the day before the International Live Music Conference (ILMC), GEI brings together thought-leaders, sustainability professionals, creatives, promoters, venues, musicians, and policy makers — all committed to putting environmental and social sustainability at the heart of music, sports, and cultural events. GEI is a partnership with not-for-profit sustainability specialists A Greener Future (AGF) and ILMC.
The 2025 edition marked the 17th annual gathering and featured a powerful programme of keynotes, panels, and case studies tackling climate action, social impact, and circularity in festivals, tours, and venues. In addition GEI includes breakout sessions, networking opportunities, exhibitions, sponsor activations, and live performances.
Hosted across multiple rooms in a premier London venue, the event also offers a variety of plant-based food and beverages throughout the day.The day time event is followed by the International AGF Awards, celebrating and recognising festivals, events, arenas and suppliers that are breaking ground in event sustainability.
BySytske’s Role
GEI had long run alongside the ILMC Production Meeting (IPM), leading Sytske to support the GEI team with production logistics — including advancing with AV suppliers and aligning programme schedules between IPM and GEI to support crowd flow and maximise networking opportunities.
During the pandemic, Sytske became more involved with GEI, drawing on her expertise and affinity with online conference systems. When IPM was later integrated into the ILMC conference, GEI quickly secured Sytske’s support as Production Coordinator. Since then, the event has grown significantly — including a venue move to accommodate its expanding scope.
Contributions by Sytske
Sytske supports the A Greener Future team across multiple aspects of GEI, including drafting a minute-by-minute production schedule, streamlining communications, and helping navigate a diverse workload that spans programming, marketing, registration, speaker and talent liaison, and partner coordination. She also acts as the main point of contact for ILMC, the venue, and technical providers.
Sustainability and DEI considerations are woven throughout the production process. From ensuring inclusive access and maintaining a safe space for all attendees, to incorporating plant-based catering options — such as sponsored burgers from Devil’s Kitchen — with the venue catering, these values remain central to the delivery of GEI.
GEI’s programming is led by AGF CEO Claire O’Neill and Director Dr. Teresa Moore, who work tirelessly to secure high-profile and often elusive contributors — both in person and virtually. This results in an eclectic hybrid event that demands a grounded, agile approach behind the scenes.
GEI guests have included: Moby, Declan McKenna, Minister for Climate Kerry McCarthy MP (DESNZ), Brian Eno, Jarvis Cocker, Aurora, Jacob Collier, Cathy Runciman (EarthPercent), John Langford (AEG), Daniella Magahaes (UNFCCC), Suzanne Bull MBE (Attitude is Everything) Patricia Yagüe (Live Nation), Fay Milton (Music Declares Emergency), John Robb, Farah Ahmed (Julie’s Bicycle), Zaria Vrabcheva (Stufish), Feimatta Conteh (Arts Council England), Damien Taylor (ChefChain), Dale Vince (Ecotricity), Julia Davies (We have the Power), Blaine Harrison (Mystery Jets), Mark Donne.
Sytske’s longstanding relationships with both the AGF/GEI and ILMC teams help create a lively, dynamic event — full of last-minute curveballs, collaborative energy, and genuine joy to deliver.
Highlights include:
– Gaining insight into how sustainability and DEI principles are actively implemented on-site
– Securing a ramp to make the stage accessible, not only for GEI, but for the staging company to reuse at future events
– Supporting individuals experiencing anxiety to engage with the event safely and confidently
– Working closely with the hotel teams, both at the Royal Lancaster London and the Royal Garden Hotel, whose professionalism and warmth make anything possible
– Fostering team spirit and mentoring students and newer members of the team.
Ongoing work with A Greener Future
In addition to working on future editions of GEI, in 2024, Sytske completed the two-day, in-person AGF Assessor training at Oxford Brookes University becoming a Stage 1 Certified A Greener Future Sustainability Assessor. She has since participated in an arena assessment as a trainee and is continuing with Stage 2 of the programme to deepen her knowledge and hands-on experience in sustainability across events and venues.